Indonesia upsets Thailand for tennis gold medal
By Primastuti Handayani
JAKARTA (JP): A gritty performance by Liza Andriyani clinched Indonesia's surprise win over top seeded Thailand in the women's tennis team event yesterday.
Liza, 18, retrieved relentlessly to pull out a win over Thai number one Tamarine Tanasugarn 2-6, 6-4, 7-6 (7-5) in the crucial second singles of the best-of-three tie.
Wynne Prakusya had put the team ahead after beating Suvimol Duangchon 6-1, 6-1.
As Tanasugarn's backhand sailed out, Liza raised both arms in triumph and looked at Indonesian Tennis Association chairman Sarwono Kusumaatmadja. Non-playing captain Alfred Raturandang rushed on to court and lifted Liza up.
Team members Wynne, Liza, Wukirasih Sawondari and Irawati Moerid Iskandar performed an impromptu dance for spectators to celebrate the win. Sarwono and National Sports Council chairman Wismoyo Arismunandar congratulated them.
In the doubles, Wukirasih/Irawati beat Marissa Siroj/Duangchan 6-3, 6-2.
In the previous Games in Chiang Mai, Thailand, Indonesia also won the gold, but that team included Yayuk Basuki, Southeast Asia's best women's player.
Liza started shakily in losing the first set to Tanasugarn, currently world ranked 37.
But she began a fight in the second, backed by 2,000 spectators in the Senayan tennis complex.
In the final set, both players went head-to-head until 4-4. Liza broke Tanusagarn and prepared to serve for the match.
The momentum shifted once again as a nervy Liza lost serve and committed several unforced errors to fall behind 5-6.
Liza showed her mettle by holding serve at love to set up the tiebreak.
Tanusagarn led 3-1 before Liza crept back to 4-4. Liza took two more points to give herself two match points. The Thai saved one with a forehand, but Liza would not be denied on the second.
"This year we were the underdog with the absence of Yayuk Basuki, but we had the motivation to beat Thailand," Alfred said. "I told Liza to keep on fighting against Tamarine. If Tamarine won, it wouldn't be a big deal because her ranking is much higher."
Liza was stunned by her win.
"It's unbelievable, because I was very down at 5-4 in the third set. I fell and I was very nervous.
"Thanks to Oom (uncle) Alfred, I could control my emotion and played better in the tiebreak."
Liza said strong swirling winds were also a factor. Several sponsor boards and umbrellas fell during the match, forcing the umpire to halt play temporarily.
Tanusagarn said Liza had played well, but recommended that the line judges should be from several countries in future events.
"I think every court has a problem with the officials, but in Thailand we have linesmen from other countries, not like here.
"I played well in the first set but Liza played better in the second. In the decider, we were even but I was unlucky."
The odds are against them, but the Thai men have a chance to avenge their countrywomen's loss in the team final today. They upset the Philippines and Indonesia beat Vietnam in whitewashes in yesterday's semifinals.
Suwandi crushed Tran Duc Quynh 6-1, 6-2, while compatriot Andrian Raturandang defeated On Tan Luc 6-4, 6-2. Men's doubles Sulistyo Wibowo/Bonit Wiryawan beat On Tan Luc/Truong Quoc Hung 6-3, 6-3.
Thailand's Thongkhumchoo beat Robert Angelo 7-5, 6-1, Paradorn Srichaphan outlasted Bryan Juinio 6-4, 6-2, and Narathorn Srichaphan/Vittaya Samrej dampened an early fight by Michael Misa/Joseph Lizardo 7-5, 6-1.